The measurement properties of the IKDC-subjective knee form

Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2015 Dec;23(12):3698-706. doi: 10.1007/s00167-014-3283-z. Epub 2014 Sep 6.

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the methodological quality of studies reporting on the measurement properties of the International Knee Documentation Committee subjective knee form (IKDC-SKF) and to evaluate their results following the COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health status Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) guidelines.

Methods: Systematic search of articles published about the measurement properties of the IKDC-SKF, review of the studies' methodological quality, and synthesis of the results using the COSMIN guidelines.

Results: Twenty-six studies were identified and reviewed. There was strong evidence for good internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and responsiveness. There was moderate evidence for good content and structural validity. With the SF36 as a gold standard, the level of evidence for criterion validity was indeterminate. There was conflicting evidence for hypothesis testing and not enough evidence to evaluate measurement error and cross-cultural validity. There were no floor or ceiling effects.

Conclusions: This review shows that the IKDC-SKF is a measurement instrument with good internal consistency, test-retest reliability, content and structural validity, and responsiveness and interpretability (no floor and ceiling effects). Further evaluation of measurement error, minimal important change, and hypotheses testing is recommended. The IKDC-SKF seems to be useful as a general instrument for all kinds of knee injuries, which might facilitate its clinical use in situations in which time is a factor.

Level of evidence: Systematic review, Level III.

Keywords: COSMIN; Knee injury; Outcome; Questionnaire.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Health Status Indicators
  • Health Status*
  • Health Surveys
  • Humans
  • Knee Injuries / diagnosis*
  • Reproducibility of Results